Calculator requirements at the different levels

Sixth Form: TI-Nspire CX graphical display calculator (GDC) is required in all cases.​For singlemathematicians, the Casio FX-991EX and TI-30X Pro provide the minimum required functionality for A-level Maths but use of these calculators will not be supported in lessons, and will not offer the opportunities to check work in exams by sketching graphs, etc. We therefore ask that you purchase the TI-Nspire CX (see student recommendation to the right).

​The GDC is probably one of the most worthwhile investments you could make going into the Sixth Form. Although, it seems very complex to use and some of you may think you will never get used to it, with frequent use in every Mathematics lesson by the time it comes to the examination period you will be well-versed to use the graphical calculator. Having just recently completed my A-Level Mathematics exams, it was very useful whilst completing papers as it enables you to check your answers efficiently and ensure that you are on the right track! One of the most reassuring things in an exam is to be able to check your answers resourcefully on the GDC, thus I highly recommend that you invest into a GDC as throughout your time in the Sixth Form it will be very useful in lessons as well as throughout the examination period. ​-J Patel, Single Mathematician, Year 13 2017-2018

Checking questions on the GDC

C3 and C4. Who is right? Who is wrong? Play the game using the document here. S2. Questions you can practice getting answers to on the GDC are here, with thanks to Mrs Shaw. FP3. Questions you can practice getting answers to on the GDC are here, with thanks to Mr Taylor-West.

Press to Test Mode

‘Press to Test’ mode temporarily disables all current documents and denies access to programming libraries.MethodSwitch the TI-Nspire handheld off.Whilst holding down the esc key, press on.

International Baccalaureate

A Level

You will deselect these four options, which are allowed by the IB and therefore should not be disabled.

Disable inequality graphing

Limit trigonometric functions

Disable logbx template and summation functions

Disable Polynomial Root Finder and Simultaneous Equation Solver

Leave the remaining seven items selected.

Deselect all of the options as nothing should be disabled - it's all allowed!!!

Ctrl+A allows you to select and deselect things.

UPDATE YOUR GDCIf you do not have Version 4.5 then you're missing out...

To check the version of your GDC, on the homepage go to ‘Settings’ > ’Status’.

The latest version is 4.5.1. For the IB exams it is a requirement that your calculator has the latest operating system and if your version is earlier than 4.4 you might be missing important functions!

To update your TI-NSpire, first download the operating system here and save it somewhere that you can find easily.1. Download the free ‘Computer Link Software’ from here.2. Connect your handheld to your computer using one of the long USB cables included in the GDC box when you were given the calculator.3. When the handheld is connected you can drag the OS file onto the handheld in the Computer Link Software.4. Enjoy your rejuvenated, state of the art GDC!

Skills worksheets for the GDC in A-level and IB

Worksheets are given below to help you get to grips with using your GDC. These topics should be relevant for A-level and IB (with any course specific sheets listed below), but note the order your teacher follows may be different from below and you may not be given every sheet in class.

Additional GDC resources

For the TI (IB and A-Level students)A guide to starting out with the TI can be found here.Useful exercises to get the best out of the TI can be found here and here.You can watch some great tutorials on the TI here.Another good guide to the TI can be found here. It includes an introduction to programming on the TI.The key functions you need to know are in the table below, and you can test yourself on them on quizlet here. Try the space race!Press to test mode: Your calculator must be put in press to test mode just before your exam. Find out how here.

GDC basics session with Ms Copin

You may wish to print out the slides from the powerpoint below to work through this. Apologies for the terrible quality of the video!!!

Example of what I wantIn calculator pageRoots of polynomialDefine f(x) as 2xdefine a vectordelete variable/function/list xdefine a listdelete a pagesolve an equationsolve an equation around a pointsolve an equation in a domainminimum of a functionmaximum of a functionfind factors of a numberprobability of certain range in a binomial distribution

geometric distribution probabilitypoisson probability cdfprobability of a normal variable being between two boundsvalue of normal variable given probabilityprobability of t between two valuest value for a given probabilitycombinationspermutations